Community Forums

bgrissom · 06-15-2018, 09:07 AM

I am heading from Thermopolis, Wyoming to Alpine, Ford F-250 pulling a 35’ 5th wheel. Which is the best route for my trip? Keeping mountain climbing in consideration.
Thanks!

BFlinn181 · 06-15-2018, 10:53 AM

I'd go the simple route if you don't want to visit Yellowstone. South on US 20, through the beautiful Wind River Canyon to US 26. You will climb Togowotee Pass, but it's a pretty mild climb. Follow US 26 through Jackson and along the Snake River.

If you want to visit YNP, then take WY 120 from Thermopolis to Cody to US 14. YNP East Enterance and then down US 191 past Yellowstone Lake to Jackson.

Isaac-1 · 06-15-2018, 02:19 PM

I would agree with the above, we drove much of that route over Togowotee Pass (4 times) when we were visiting WY last summer. It is also a much, much more scenic route than the more southern option.

Ike
p.s. if you need suggestion on RV park for Thermopolis we stayed at Eagle RV park on the south side of town. Overall I would recommend it, though it is a bit basic and spaces are a bit tight, the owners were friendly which is always a plus in my book. The other place we stayed in the area outside Yellowstone was the Longhorn ranch rv park in Duboius which was much much nicer, though the staff seemed a little less welcoming.

Busskipper · 06-15-2018, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

I'd go the simple route if you don't want to visit Yellowstone. South on US 20, through the beautiful Wind River Canyon to US 26. You will climb Togowotee Pass, but it's a pretty mild climb. Follow US 26 through Jackson and along the Snake River.

If you want to visit YNP, then take WY 120 from Thermopolis to Cody to US 14. YNP East Entrance and then down US 191 past Yellowstone Lake to Jackson.

...

Option two is IMHO the only real way to go, unless you just came from Cody..

...

BUT you must drive Wind River Canyon before you head North!

Why Not?

JMHO,

bgrissom · 06-15-2018, 10:42 PM

We are staying the next 3 nights in Wyoming Gardens RV Park. It is quaint and cozy and basic. It sounds like I will try to US 26 route. I was concerned about the elevations but sounds like it will not be so bad. We drove through the canyon on the way in today. I plan on driving the truck back through it tomorrow so I can enjoy the views better.
Thanks for the input!
Happy and safe travels!

BFlinn181 · 06-15-2018, 11:02 PM

If you've got a bit of time, the Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis is a nice museum. Also, only 83 miles up WY 120 is Cody. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is 5 museums under one roof. Cody also has a daily rodeo the whole month of June.

Driving to Alpine, stop in the Cowboy Cafe in Dubois, they have great homemade pies and good meals too. Across the street the wooden sidewalk has a plank with my name branded in it. I bought it many years ago while working at a Geology Station ranch nearby. I was back there a year or so ago and found it had not burned in the fire that had destroyed the row of stores across from the Cowboy Cafe.